Best Night Out

Sipping her drink nervously, Gardenia waited till her two girl pals finished their conversation. "So what you are trying to say is... you like him?" said Cheryl. Candice of course started giggling while Maylene went to play tennis with Wake. "Well, it's not like that..." Gardenia mumbled embarrassingly. Candice just giggled again while Cheryl started nudging her. "It's so obvious- you like him! Every time we talk about him, I see your face turn a deep shade of scarlet or wine red- no denying that!" Gardenia winced- Cheryl knew everything about her. Was she seriously her best friend or psychic?

Roark meanwhile, was being his usual calm self, busy reading some piece of paper rather earnestly. "Err, dude! Papers are over here!" one guy called out to him. Roark rolled his eyes. "Not now, Riley. I'm busy!" he sighed what was with these guys? Suddenly, he felt a towering shadow above him. "W...what?" he asked nervously. "A prescription? For what?" came the reply. Roark sighed- why was Riley so vindictive? That was one thing he couldn't stand, even though they were best friends. Then, Riley spotted something inside his pocket. It was shiny, almost iridescent. "Oh, what's this?" he asked sneakily and then quickly pulled it out. "Oooh! A necklace!" he exclaimed nudging his other guy pals. "Wonder who this is for? It couldn't be for you now, is it?" making Roark blush.

"Gardenia." He muttered. "The carving classes came in handy." Riley's smile turned more playful. "I never heard the lucky lady's name! Spit it out louder- we all want to know!" he cajoled. Roark was really mad- he knew the guys would get the wrong impression about everything!

"I still wonder, Roark- why did you date someone and not tell us?" Riley asked playfully. "Yeah, it wouldn't be that much of a secret anyway, you being so close to being a gym leader and all!" another guy chirped. Roark was slowly losing it- that's why he hated telling Riley anything. "Besides, where were you last night? We called you up a million times!" Roark winced- "I was out." He admitted. Riley's smile crooked. "Oooh, out you say? At such a time? With who- the model or the singer?" he questioned. "Neither." Came his cold reply. "Wonder who that is- could it be any gym leader to be?" he cooed naughtily. Finally, he couldn't take it.

"Look, it's for my female best friend. And no, we are not lovers!" he blurted. This was surprising; Roark had never been so firm before which mildly frightened Riley. Then he regretfully gave the necklace back. "Sorry, bud. Kind of got too curious." He confessed. Roark then beamed "That's okay." As he went back to hanging out with the again- Riley was his best friend for 10 years, nothing could ever change that, no matter how manipulative he could be.

Gardenia on the other hand, was still chatting; but with a heavy heart. They were now talking only about her presumed 'crush' and this was annoying her. "Guys- what's the whole deal of talking about a guy? Can't you see I'm just as important?!" she blurted. Candice turned round and spoke "When did we ever care about any guy? It's you who is!" "What? No way I don't!" she exclaimed dismissively. "Yeah you do..." Cheryl said slowly and disconcertingly. "That's a fact." This was irritating he no end- why were they so persistent on that?!

Roark meanwhile, was tried, so he went home. After bidding his pals goodbye, he went out and walked over to a dispensary for something really special. Something that could just change his life forever!

Gardenia was getting too tired of this whole thing. Finally, she screamed out "I've had it! Roark is not my lover, never was and never will be- problem?" Candice and Cheryl shuddered- when Gardenia was angry she was the Incredible She Hulk part two. But suddenly, they just said "Doesn't that ever annoy you?" while secretly giggling. Slamming her fist onto the table, she looked into their eye and said "No! It doesn't. Besides, I don't like him anyway!" Now they were confused. "Well then..." Candice begun. "If you don't like him, then who does? I mean, he is a really sweet guy from what we've heard." Cheryl nodded in agreement. "I mean, he is rather submissive, but a real sweetheart. Isn't that what made you guys so close in high school?" she continued. "He is a bit of a dork though- I saw him once. He is obsessed over fossils and kind of nerdy. Especially those glasses." Candice shivered "Glasses? Isn't that so totally lame?" she asked. Cheryl agreed which made Gardenia kind of uncomfortable. Finally, after hearing enough insults of her boy, she then yelled "Shut up! It isn't his fault that he is this way? Can't any of you accept him for what he is?"

They looked at her in disbelief. "I thought you said you didn't like him!" Candice retorted.

"That's because I don't like him at all...I...I...I love him!"

Cheryl could have just passed out hearing this. Candice was amazed herself. Then Gardenia hung her head in shame. "There; I said it. Now what?" she muttered weeping. The two girls then squealed and hugged her. "Congrats Gardy! That's our best pal alright!" Gardenia was dumbfounded- were they serious? Then she was relieved when they said "We know you, Gardy. He's a great guy; I'm sure he deserves you!" Gardenia then embraced her friends back. "Thanks guys. You're the best!" Friends like them totally ruled- she thought!

Then she took leave of them and went out, wondering what had she just said. "Roark... do I really love him?" she wondered still embarrassed. She had a crush on him since major year and thought it might just go when she dated Nando; but it only intensified and persisted. Now she really knew what she felt for him- love.

She then kept walking until she bumped into you know who. Roark turned round and smiled. "Hey Gardenia! What brings you here?" he asked cheerfully. Gardenia wanted to say something romantic, but shut up seeing his hazel eyes. "Err, just going home, that's what." She answered. Roark smiled "Okay, sorry." And left. "Wait!" she called out to him. He turned round "Can I join you?" she asked. Roark laughed "Do you have to ask me?" Gardenia smiled "that's my line, loser!" as she raced behind and punched his shoulder- hard. Then she wasted no time in nooging him and punching his head. "Ha! Serves you right!" she proudly proclaimed. Roark just loved her bouncy energy and zest for life- it was just so enriching!

He then punched her arm. "Life's fun with you, Gardenia! I love it!" he confessed as he walked off, oblivious to the scarlet Gardenia. Suddenly, she saw the prescription fall from his overcoat pocket. "Huh? What's that?" she asked him. He quickly put that inside and walked ahead. "Come on, Roarky! What is it?" she asked him firmly. He was really crestfallen, but he had to tell her at some point. "Actually, Gardenia it is..." suddenly a hard push toppled him over and he landed into Gardenia's neck. He quickly grabbed hold of her shoulders while Gardenia grabbed his waist. She felt something soft on her neck, wet and mildly slobbery- she was shocked to figure it was his lips. She stayed statue while onlookers stared, but what was she to care. Was this really happening? Roark then pulled himself up. "Thanks for helping me! Oh... And sorry about that." He said blushing and worried- Gardenia would probably never talk to him for a million years!

She didn't say anything and just walked ahead. Roark took a peek at the guy who pushed him- he was dressed in a red hoodie and blue jeans. He gave an icy stare which Roark felt was so familiar. It unnerved him to an extent. Then he diverted his attention on when asked playfully "So, what are you doing on Sunday?" Roark was surprised. "Err, I'm going to stay back and watch a movie. Then train Cranidos; nothing new!" he answered. "Can I come along?" she asked making a puppy dog face. "Fine. You like butter popcorn?" he asked coldly. "Sure I do!" she answered sweetly which made him think about something.

After a few minutes, he asked her "Hey, Gardenia? Would I make a good father?" Gardenia was stunned. "Excuse me?!" she hollered. "You know, a dad? Because I've been thinking of something... I want to get married!" he confessed. Gardenia should have been excited, but instead angrily slapped him, making him wail. 'What was that for?!" he screamed. "You moron- how can you get married at such an age!? You are only twenty, Arceus-damn it!" she hollered straight into his ears. "Okay, okay! Look Gardenia; the thing is, I'm only telling you this; I love Luciana and I want life with her to continue!" he confessed. Her heart sank. Was she hearing straight?

"I really like her; as much as we've only been dating for a few days... and I really want to get serious with her now! Committed for life- like how it should be!" he confessed wistfully to which Gardenia swore she felt something wet and hot on her hands, getting hotter every second. It was tears of anguish- they really stirred the soul, but she made sure she wouldn't let him se them. Her throat was pulsing out of her body and her voice choked with emotion.

"And the prescription?" she asked worriedly. "Oh, come on- Gardenia; it's just one for eyes. I'm okay, no need to worry. I have a feeling you are crying... why?" he asked her tenderly. "Me? Crying? Nah, don't be silly!" she dismissed. "I know you are- I can see tears. Solid proof of it, love." He answered while hugging her consolingly. "Usually you tell me all your problems, why not now?" Gardenia couldn't be honest with him on this one- what would her feel? Besides, her heart was too broken to explain.

"Yawning sometimes induces tears, and I'm tired." She lied. Roark then smiled "Want an ice-cream? I'm taking blueberry." He offered. "Butterscotch with chocolate chips. No sprinkles- I hate 'em!" she answered. They then waited for one and ate it. Roark seemed to be having a great time while Gardenia just wistfully stood there and ate. Somehow ice cream just didn't seem to be fun anymore...